International symposium
Cognition and Interpretation

Institute of philosophy,
Zagreb, October 10-11, 2003

Igor Škamperle (Ljubljana)
Epistemological status of Platos Myths and questions of hermeneutics

One of the opening questions about knowledge is the relation between rational objectiv language and their writig form, and the alegoric, simbolic and oral comunication. The author will discusses on the hermeneutic status of mythological images, present in the writings of Plato like the myth of the cave, the figure of Er from the end of Politeia, the notion of second navigation (deuteros plous) in Dialoge Faidon, the figure of Theut from Faidros. Why Plato use mythological figures and effort to integrate them in the philosophical discussion? He considers them only a simple literary supplement, a knowless tale, or he introduce the myths stories in the crucial moment of philosophical explanation as essential form witch can communicate and let know a truth. The philosopher or the teacher have the task to write the highiest messages not on the paper, but on the mind and soul of the people.